Citi Trends, Inc. Shares Statement from Former CEO Jason Mazzola

April 18, 2017 06:45 AM Eastern Daylight Time

SAVANNAH, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Citi Trends, Inc. (NASDAQ:CTRN) (the “Company”) today shared the
following statement made by former Company Chief Executive Officer and
director Jason Mazzola, who left the Company in late March to pursue
another opportunity.

“Having been made aware of conflicting narratives and speculation
regarding my departure from Citi Trends, I feel compelled to set the
record straight. I have full confidence in Citi Trends’ long-term
strategy to enhance stockholder value, which I helped develop with Bruce
Smith, Ed Anderson and the rest of the Citi Trends board.

This strategy is yielding positive results, as evidenced by Citi Trends’
improving sales and gross margins. I remain a significant Citi Trends
stockholder, and as such, I have a vested interest in the Company’s
success. Accordingly, I plan to vote all my shares in favor of the Citi
Trends board as I believe it is best suited to drive stockholder value.

My decision to leave Citi Trends was a difficult one, which is a
testament to my terrific experience working alongside Ed, who is a
mentor to me and the rest of the team. This personal choice was driven
not by conflict or unhappiness, but rather by the unique opportunity in
private equity to build out another successful retail platform.

Had I been asked about my reasons for leaving the Company, I would have
gladly communicated that my departure was not acrimonious and that I
unequivocally support the Citi Trends board and management team.”

About Citi Trends

Citi Trends, Inc. is a value-priced retailer of urban fashion apparel
and accessories for the entire family. The Company operates 538 stores
located in 31 states. Citi Trends' website address is www.cititrends.com.
CTRN-G

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements other than historical facts contained in this news
release, including statements regarding our future financial results and
position, business policy and plans, objectives of management for future
operations and our intentions and ability to pay dividends and complete
any share repurchases, are forward-looking statements that are subject
to material risks and uncertainties. The words "believe," "may,"
"could," "plans," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend,"
"expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to Citi Trends, are
intended to identify forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned
that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future
performance or results and are inherently subject to risks and
uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified. Actual
results or developments may differ materially from those included in the
forward-looking statements as a result of various factors which are
discussed in Citi Trends filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited
to, uncertainties relating to economic conditions, growth risks,
consumer spending patterns, competition within the industry, competition
in our markets, the ability to anticipate and respond to fashion trends
and the outcome of our current proxy fight and any other actions of
activist stockholders. Any forward-looking statements by the Companywith
respect to the Company’s intention to declare and pay dividends,
repurchase shares pursuant to the share repurchase program, or
otherwise, are intended to speak only as of the date such statements are
made. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities
laws of the United States and the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, Citi Trends does not undertake to
publicly update any forward-looking statements in this news release or
with respect to matters described herein, whether as a result of any new
information, future events or otherwise.

Important Additional Information

Citi Trends, its directors and certain of its executive officers may be
deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Citi
Trends stockholders in connection with the matters to be considered at
Citi Trends' 2017 Annual Meeting to be held on May 24, 2017. On April 3,
2017, Citi Trends filed a definitive proxy statement (the “Proxy
Statement”) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC")
in connection with any such solicitation of proxies from Citi Trends
stockholders. INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO
READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND ACCOMPANYING BLUE PROXY CARD WITH RESPECT
TO THE 2017 ANNUAL MEETING, AND OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC,
CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY AS THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION.
Detailed information regarding the identity of potential participants,
and their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or
otherwise, is set forth in the Proxy Statement and other materials to be
filed with the SEC in connection with Citi Trends' 2017 Annual Meeting.
Stockholders may obtain the Proxy Statement, any amendments or
supplements to the Proxy Statement and other documents filed by Citi
Trends with the SEC for no charge at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.
Copies will also be available at no charge at the Investor Relations
section of our corporate website at www.cititrends.com.